U.S. patent application number 13/159999 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-05 for method for regenerating an adsorber or absorber.
This patent application is currently assigned to Astrium GmbH. Invention is credited to Carsten Matthias, Willigert RAATSCHEN, Lutz Schauer, Helmut Westermann.
Application Number | 20120004092 13/159999 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43033050 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120004092 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
RAATSCHEN; Willigert ; et
al. |
January 5, 2012 |
Method for Regenerating an Adsorber or Absorber
Abstract
A method for regenerating an adsorber or absorber on board a
submarine, wherein the adsorber or absorber is present in the
interior of the submarine for binding metabolically generated
CO.sub.2-containing harmful gases, and wherein the metabolically
generated CO.sub.2-containing harmful gases are transferred
outboard via a compressor. The thermal energy for regenerating the
adsorber or absorber is generated by burning a hydrocarbonaceous
energy carrier with oxygen, wherein at least one combustion
product, together with the metabolically generated
CO.sub.2-containing harmful gases, is transferred outboard via the
compressor.
Inventors: |
RAATSCHEN; Willigert;
(Immenstaad, DE) ; Schauer; Lutz;
(Friedrichshafen, DE) ; Westermann; Helmut;
(Markdorf, DE) ; Matthias; Carsten;
(Friedrichshafen, DE) |
Assignee: |
Astrium GmbH
Taufkirchen
DE
|
Family ID: |
43033050 |
Appl. No.: |
13/159999 |
Filed: |
June 14, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
502/55 ; 423/700;
431/2; 502/20; 564/1; 564/497 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 2259/4566 20130101;
B01D 53/1425 20130101; B63G 8/36 20130101; B01D 2257/504 20130101;
B01D 2253/108 20130101; B01J 20/3483 20130101; B01J 20/3408
20130101; B01J 20/18 20130101; Y02C 20/40 20200801; B01J 20/22
20130101; Y02C 10/08 20130101; B01D 2259/4009 20130101; B01D
2253/20 20130101; B01D 2257/708 20130101; B01D 2253/206 20130101;
B01D 53/04 20130101; B01J 20/3425 20130101; B01J 20/3466
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
502/55 ; 423/700;
502/20; 564/1; 564/497; 431/2 |
International
Class: |
B01J 38/06 20060101
B01J038/06; F23C 7/00 20060101 F23C007/00; C07C 209/84 20060101
C07C209/84; C01B 39/00 20060101 C01B039/00; B01J 38/00 20060101
B01J038/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 15, 2010 |
EP |
10 006 168.8-2113 |
Claims
1. A method for regenerating an adsorber or absorber on board a
submarine, comprising: generating thermal energy for regenerating
the adsorber or absorber by burning a hydrocarbonaceous energy
carrier with oxygen; transferring a combustion product, together
with metabolically generated CO.sub.2-containing harmful gases,
outboard via a compressor, wherein the adsorber or absorber is
present in an interior of the submarine for binding the
metabolically generated CO.sub.2-containing harmful gases.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the thermal energy
formed in the burning of the hydrocarbonaceous energy carrier with
oxygen is utilized for vaporizing water, wherein the resultant
water vapour is utilized for regenerating the adsorber or
absorber.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the liquid water that
is to be vaporized is preheated using a heat exchanger using the
combustion product.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the thermal energy
generated in the combustion of the hydrocarbonaceous energy carrier
with oxygen is utilized for regenerating the adsorber or absorber
without intermediate connection of a vaporization of water.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the absorber is a
liquid amine or a solid.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the liquid amine is
monoethanolamine MEA.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein an exhaust gas cooler
with condensate separation is connected upstream of the
compressor.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the adsorber is an
ion-exchange resin or a solid amine for CO.sub.2 binding.
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the adsorber is a
zeolite for binding VOCs or a Freon.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the Freon is R134a.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application which claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119 to European Patent Application No. 10 006 168.8-2113,
filed Jun. 15, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is herein
expressly incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a method for regenerating an
adsorber or absorber on board a submarine.
[0003] Submarines are generally equipped with solid or liquid
adsorbers or absorbers in order to bind harmful gases from the
cabin air. Harmful gases in this case can be metabolic products
given off by people to the cabin air, outgassing products of
materials and processes, and also leaks from units.
[0004] In the case of the metabolic products, the binding of
expired CO.sub.2 is of most importance quantitatively. In addition,
numerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted not only by
people but also by materials and processes.
[0005] Whereas for submarines having short submerge times,
frequently non-reversible binding concepts are used such as, e.g.,
lithium hydroxide or soda lime for binding CO.sub.2 and activated
carbon for binding VOCs, in the case of submarines that are
submerged for relatively long periods such as nuclear-propelled
submarines or air independent propulsion (AIP) submarines,
regenerative binding methods are used. Because binder is thereby
saved, the space requirement for storing the binder is decreased.
This advantage, however, increases the energy requirement necessary
for regeneration. In nuclear-propelled submarines, this is not
usually a problem. In the case of AIP submarines, however,
electrical energy for regenerating systems binding harmful gases is
available only to a very limited degree.
[0006] Regenerative binding methods require electrical energy, e.g.
for a fan, a gas compressor for transferring harmful gases
outboard, or for control elements. Frequently, energy is also
required for heating the ad/absorbents or for generating steam for
the regeneration. This can be electrical energy or thermal
energy.
[0007] Submarines having AIP drive designs, in which waste heat is
produced at the required level and can be utilized, such as, e.g.,
in the case of submarines having a Stirling engine, closed diesel
engine or reformer for fuel cells, are advantageous here for
generating heat or steam.
[0008] In submarines having fuel cells and H.sub.2/O.sub.2 as fuel,
customarily a reformer is not required and the waste heat of the
fuel cell is at too low a level to be able to be used expediently.
For such submarines, therefore, new designs are required in order
that the requirement for thermal energy can be covered.
[0009] German Patent document DE 10 2006 048 716 B3 discloses a
method in which H.sub.2 and O.sub.2, which are already present on
board for operating the fuel cells, are burnt in order, utilizing
the heat of the reaction, to generate steam from liquid water for
the process of regenerating CO.sub.2 binding systems. A further
variant also provides utilization of the steam resulting from the
reaction of H.sub.2 and O.sub.2 for the regeneration. In this
reaction, no further exhaust gas components such as, e.g., CO.sub.2
or CO are formed.
[0010] However, this known process requires large tanks to store
the hydrogen. Usually, for this purpose, metal hydride stores are
used in which the loading density is less than 3% by weight.
[0011] German Patent document DE 690 02 112 T2 and French Patent
document FR 2 552 160 A1 each disclose thermal steam engines for
use in a submarine in which the water used as working medium is
converted into superheated steam from the combustion of a
hydrocarbonaceous energy carrier with oxygen in a Stirling-Hirn
cycle process. In German Patent document DE 690 02 112 T2, the
CO.sub.2 formed in the combustion is stored in cylinders arranged
on the outside of the stern of the submarine and which originally
contained the oxygen required for the combustion. In French Patent
document FR 2 552 160 A1, the CO.sub.2 formed is transferred
outboard using a compressor.
[0012] It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a
method for regenerating adsorbers/absorbers loaded with metabolic
CO.sub.2 on board submarines, in which the storage volume of the
energy carrier necessary for the regeneration can be considerably
decreased.
[0013] According to the invention, for generating thermal energy, a
hydrocarbonaceous, generally liquid, energy carrier is used such
as, e.g., ethanol, methanol, propane, butane etc., for the
combustion with O.sub.2.
[0014] The gases formed in the combustion of these energy carriers,
in addition to steam, are transferred outboard according to the
invention using a compressor. Since, for the regenerative CO.sub.2
binding system for removing the metabolic CO.sub.2, generally a
CO.sub.2 compressor is already present on board, this compressor
can advantageously also be used for transferring exhaust gases
outboard.
[0015] In order to keep the amount of exhaust gas for the
compressor as small as possible, an exhaust gas cooler with
condensate separation can be connected upstream.
[0016] In principle, the thermal energy generated by the combustion
can be used in two different ways for the regeneration:
[0017] 1. The heat of combustion can be utilized for vaporizing
water. The steam thus produced is utilized for regenerating the
adsorbers or absorbers.
[0018] A special use thereof is regeneration processes, in which
saturated or superheated steam between 80-150.degree. C. is
required for expelling the harmful gases from the adsorber, such
as, e.g., in the regeneration of CO.sub.2 adsorbers based on solid
amine or the regeneration of zeolite beds after the binding of
metabolic CO.sub.2. Further suitable adsorbers are ion-exchange
resins or solid amines for CO.sub.2 binding, in particular those
described in German Patent document DE 198 30 470 C1 which is
herein incorporated by reference. Furthermore, the adsorber can
contain a zeolite for binding VOCs or a Freon, in particular R134a.
All of the adsorbers mentioned here are also suitable for
regeneration by energy input (see hereinafter 2).
[0019] Only the liquid water vaporized by the heat of combustion is
used for the regeneration, whereas the combustion products
(CO.sub.2, H.sub.2O and any further by-products) are conducted
separately therefrom, bypassing adsorber and absorber, to the
compressor, where they are disposed of outboard.
[0020] 2. The heat of combustion can also be used directly, i.e.
without intermediate connection of a water vaporization, for
regenerating the adsorbers or absorbers. Here, in particular
absorbers can be used in the form of a liquid amine, e.g.
monoethanolamine MEA.
[0021] The invention has the advantage that the hydrocarbonaceous
energy carriers are stored at a higher loading density and energy
density, which results in a markedly lower storage volume than in
the known H.sub.2/O.sub.2 combustion method.
[0022] The invention is suitable, in particular, for use in
submarines having AIP drive designs, e.g. those based on fuel
cells.
[0023] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The invention will be described with reference to specific
exemplary embodiments. In the drawings:
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the method according to
the invention, wherein the regeneration proceeds using steam;
[0026] FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of the method according to
the invention, wherein the regeneration proceeds by means of direct
heat coupling into a solid adsorber; and
[0027] FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the method according to
the invention, wherein the regeneration proceeds by direct heat
coupling into a liquid absorber.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the process according to
the invention, wherein the regeneration of the adsorber or absorber
proceeds using steam.
[0029] The steam is generated in a combustion chamber BK, within
which there is situated a steam kettle DK containing liquid water.
The water is fed from the outside via the line 3. The energy
carrier ET which is frequently present in liquid form during
storage is expanded or gasified before it flows into the combustion
chamber BK. Oxygen O.sub.2 is likewise introduced into the
combustion chamber BK. The steam kettle DK can also be situated
outside the combustion chamber BK.
[0030] The heat formed in the combustion reaction is fed to the
steam kettle DK in which the liquid water is vaporized. The
resultant steam is passed to the ad/absorber bed A for regeneration
thereof. The desorbate, substantially metabolic CO.sub.2, is fed to
a compressor K, via which it is removed outboard.
[0031] The combustion products, consisting of CO.sub.2, H.sub.2O
and possibly other by-products, leave the combustion chamber BK via
line 1 and flow into a gas/water heat exchanger WT, which cools the
exhaust gases and in the course of this preheats, in line 3, the
water that is to be vaporized. The water vaporization can therefore
be achieved using condensing-boiler technology. The condensate that
arises from the burner exhaust gases is removed via line 2. The
burner exhaust gases, reduced by the precipitated condensate, leave
the gas/water heat exchanger WT via line 4 and are removed outboard
by the same compressor K with which the desorbate (metabolic
CO.sub.2) is brought outboard.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of the process according
to the invention. In this embodiment, the energy being liberated in
the combustion in the combustion chamber BK is utilized directly
for regenerating the ad/absorber A. Therefore, generating steam for
the regeneration is not required in this embodiment. This
ad/absorber is, for example, a solid. The combustion exhaust gases
are fed to a heat exchanger WT, via which the heat is coupled into
the ad/absorber A. The combustion gases leaving the heat exchanger
WT are, as in the previous FIG. 1, removed outboard via the
compressor K after passing through an exhaust gas cooler AK with
condensate separation together with the metabolic CO.sub.2
desorbate (from line 8).
[0033] Combustion chamber BK and the ab/adsorber unit A with
integrated heat exchanger WT can either be constructed separately
from one another or can be constructed in one component.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the process according
to the invention which is used for systems having liquid amines
(monoethanolamine, MEA) as absorber for metabolic CO.sub.2. The
liquid, CO.sub.2-loaded absorber MEA, for regeneration, is passed
from the absorber unit A via the line 9 into the desorber unit D
and after regeneration has been performed, via the line 10 back
into the absorber unit A. The warm absorber fluid leaving the
desorber unit D again can be used, via a heat exchanger WT, for
preheating the absorber fluid to be passed to the desorber unit
D.
[0035] As in the embodiment according to FIG. 2, in the embodiment
according to FIG. 3, the energy being liberated in the combustion
in the combustion chamber BK is utilized directly, i.e. without
intermediate connection of a vaporization of water, for
regenerating the absorber situated in the desorber unit D. For this
purpose, a heater H is integrated into the desorber unit D, via
which heater the heat from the combustion is fed to the absorber
medium which is to be regenerated. For this purpose, the combustion
exhaust gases from the combustion chamber BK are passed via line 11
to the heater H.
[0036] The combustion gases leaving the heater H, after they pass
through an exhaust gas cooler AK with condensate separation, are
fed to the compressor K and are removed outboard together with the
desorbate (from line 12).
[0037] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to
illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since
modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit
and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the
art, the invention should be construed to include everything within
the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *